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11 October 2002

Bush Says Congress Has Spoken Clearly in Votes on Iraq

(Senate, House approve resolution authorizing military action) (250)
President Bush, in a statement early on October 11 following Senate
and House of Representatives approval of a resolution on Iraq, said
that the Congress "has spoken clearly to the international community
and the United Nations Security Council.
"Saddam Hussein and his outlaw regime pose a grave threat to the
region, the world, and the United States. Inaction is not an option,"
Bush said, "disarmament is a must."
The House of Representatives on October 10 approved the resolution
authorizing military action against Iraq by a 296-133 vote. The Senate
vote, early in the morning of October 11, was 77 to 23.
Following is the text of a statement from the president released
following the Senate vote:
(begin text)
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
October 11, 2002
STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT
With tonight's vote in the United States Senate, America speaks with
one voice. The Congress has spoken clearly to the international
community and the United Nations Security Council. Saddam Hussein and
his outlaw regime pose a grave threat to the region, the world, and
the United States. Inaction is not an option, disarmament is a must.
I commend members of the Senate for the strong bipartisan vote
authorizing the use of force, if necessary. The Senate, like the
House, conducted this important debate and vote in the finest
traditions of our democracy.
Our nation seeks a more just and more peaceful world. Our nation seeks
a safer and better world. America will never waver in its commitment
to these ideals.
(end text)
(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S.
Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)